The Devon Guild is Turning Japanese Again

This summer The Devon Guild of Craftsmen is following its 2008 exhibition of Japanese ceramic art with ‘Yakimono 2’ (15 July to 15 August 2010).

Two years ago the Devon Guild secured funding to bring four Japanese based potters over to rural Bovey Tracey where delighted visitors were immersed in the ceramic culture of Japan. After successful sponsorship bids to The Japan Foundation and Sasikawa (Great Britain), a renewed invitation has been extended this year to Tomoko Okuda and Peter Seabridge from Tokoname and Taketoshi Ota and Masahiro Kumagae from Kyushu. Their fascinating sculptural works in clay will be on show at the Guild for a whole month. The potters themselves are sharing their knowledge and skills with masterclasses and demonstrations held on 27 and 29 July (Rattery and the Leach Pottery) and free tea ceremony events (17 & 27 July at the Guild). These are all designed to produce an all round cultural experience and insight into the influences and rituals of Japan.

Yakimono means ‘fired thing’ and the word is used to cover the entire ceramic culture of Japan. There are six main schools (or kilns) in Japan, some dating back to the twelfth century but many other sub-regional styles also exist. Ota is from the old pottery village of Koishiwara and her charming work uses traditional decorating techniques such as ‘hakeme’ (brush pattern) and ‘tobiganna’ (chattering) with slips. Kumagae is from the same area but his loose thrown forms and textured slab pots are used to present contemporary Japanese/Asian/fusion cuisine.

Okuda is from Tokoname (Aichi), also a traditional kiln region. Regional styles come from chemical compounds such as magnesium or iron combining with the clay (from a rice-field or mountain), resulting in varied surface textures (porous or smooth) and colour. Okuda makes simple domestic ware and slab-built lamps with pierced clay which create wonderful shadow patterns. Seabridge is also based there and his loosely thrown pots for dining show how different woods used in the kiln create individual styles. His are unique as they subtly combine Western influences.

As well as the two Masterclasses, all four of the potters will take part in a ‘Meet the Makers’ day at the Guild on 17 July (10am-4pm) where the public can see free demonstrations of origami and calligraphy as well as talk to the potters and see a tea ceremony. More tea ceremonies can be experienced on 27 July. The Masterclass at Rattery (29 July) can be booked through Penny Simpson: 01647 440708 and the Leach Pottery day, on: 01736799703 office@leachpottery.com for its 31 July Demo Day bookings (both £20).

For more information visit http://crafts.org.uk/